Josh Jacobs, Alexander Mattison, and Isiah Pacheco Impacting Week 15 Waiver Wire

The fantasy football playoffs are now here and fantasy managers have to keep a diligent eye on the injury report even more than usual. Injuries often are the difference between a loss and a win in fantasy football, especially at the running back position.

Let’s take a look at the statuses of Josh Jacobs, Alexander Mattison, and Isiah Pacheco and what the latest news means for their fantasy outlook moving into Week 15.

Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy

Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders game against the Minnesota Vikings was one of the worst offensive performances by two teams that you will ever see. The Vikings were able to kick a field goal with 1:57 remaining in the game for the only points of the game, winning by a score of 3-0.

A big issue for Las Vegas’ offense was the fact that Jacobs left the game with a quad injury. He was listed as a non-participant for Monday’s practice, which could loom large with the Raiders being on a short week.

Las Vegas plays the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, which certainly makes it challenging for Jacobs to come back and play. If it was a full week and the Raiders played on Sunday or Monday, then maybe he would be able to make it back, but right now, it’s hard to count on him in the fantasy playoffs.

If Jacobs is unable to go, the Raiders may rely on Zamir White as their go-to running back, but this offense isn’t good enough to count on a backup RB as anything more than a low-end RB2.

Editor’s note: The Raiders had a walkthrough on Tuesday. If they had practiced, Jacobs would have been absent.

Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings

The other starting running back in that absolute travesty of an offensive performance was also injured in the game. Mattison was on his way to potentially having the best game of the season as he rushed the ball 10 times for 66 yards against Vegas before leaving in the third quarter.

Mattison is currently out with a sprained ankle, and like Jacobs, there is an issue since his team is also on a short week.

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It isn’t quite as short as the Raiders’, but the Vikings will be in action on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals in a battle of two 7-6 teams. If Mattison isn’t able to suit up, then expect running back Ty Chandler to be the go-to back for Minnesota.

Chandler filled in earlier in the year when Mattison was hurt, and he was the primary beneficiary on Sunday when Mattison got hurt. He had 15 touches in the game for 41 yards and has the ability to be a very sneaky fantasy running back.

As the week progresses, make sure to check out our free PFN Start/Sit Optimizer to see whether or not you can trust Chandler in your starting lineup.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Pacheco missed the Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills due to a shoulder injury, and his presence was definitely felt.

The former seventh-round pick out of Rutgers has become an integral part of Kansas City’s offense. In his absence, the Chiefs were only able to rush for 82 yards, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire leading the team (11 carries for 39 yards).

Kansas City will be back in action against the New England Patriots in Week 15, and Pacheco’s status remains questionable. Unlike the other two running backs mentioned previously, Pacheco doesn’t have to play his game until Sunday, so he has more time to potentially get back and play.

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If he’s unable to go, expect the Chiefs to give the ball to Edwards-Helaire and Jerrick McKinnon when it comes to running the ball. However, they may not be fantastic starts for fantasy as the Patriots’ run defense has been outstanding this year, as they allow only 88.2 yards per game, which ranks third in the NFL.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!